Snowy Parliament – paralysed city

Worst part of my two-hour hike through the snow-hit London transport system: arriving at the Commons to discover the Parliamentary authorities have shut the canteens. No celebratory cup of hot chocolate for me.

Snow covered trees surround Big Ben in London Photo: AFP

So why has the nation ground to a collective halt – and where have all the gritters and snow ploughs gone? Perhaps our local councils have been taking money saving tips from the town authorities in Chicago.